A brown active shooter alert triggered a major law-enforcement response at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, after reports of gunfire near campus buildings and nearby streets. Police said multiple people were shot, and officials urged students and the public to shelter in place or avoid the area as the situation unfolded.
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What happened near Brown University
Reports of shots fired prompted Brown University to issue emergency notifications Saturday afternoon, warning of an active shooter near the Barus & Holley Engineering building area. Students and staff were instructed to take immediate safety steps and remain in place while police moved into the area.
As officers responded, additional reports of gunfire were also connected to nearby streets off campus, expanding the area of concern beyond the initial location.
Where the incident was reported
Authorities and university alerts centered early reports around the Barus & Holley Engineering building, a well-known campus facility. Later updates indicated shots were reported in the Governor Street area, which includes off-campus housing and routes frequently used by students.
Police advised people to stay away from the affected areas while officers searched and secured locations.
What authorities have confirmed
Providence police confirmed that multiple people were shot in the area near Brown University. Officials described the response as an active investigation, with emergency crews and multiple agencies assisting on scene.
Officials also issued public safety guidance telling people to shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice.
Clarification on custody reports
During the evolving response, messaging changed regarding whether a suspect had been apprehended. University updates initially indicated a person was in custody, but later communications clarified that no suspect had been confirmed in custody at that time. Authorities continued searching as the investigation developed.
Because early reports can change quickly during emergency responses, the most reliable details have come from what police and official alerts confirmed in real time: a shooting occurred, multiple people were shot, and the situation required immediate safety measures and an ongoing search.
Campus impact and timing
The incident occurred during a busy period on campus, as Brown students were in the final exam window. That timing meant many students were studying in academic buildings and campus spaces, and the alert caused abrupt disruptions across campus routines.
Lockdown and shelter-in-place instructions can also affect nearby neighborhoods quickly, especially in areas close to campus foot traffic and student housing.
Safety steps issued in the alerts
University emergency instructions emphasized standard active-threat guidance: evacuate if it is safe, secure in place if evacuation is not possible, and remain quiet and out of sight. Police messages likewise focused on reducing movement in the area to help officers respond, clear spaces, and search effectively.
For students and residents nearby, those directions typically mean staying inside, locking doors, avoiding windows, and waiting for official updates before leaving.
What remains unknown
As of today, key details remained unconfirmed publicly in official statements, including:
- The identity of the shooter
- A confirmed number of victims and the extent of injuries
- A confirmed motive
- Whether there was one shooter or multiple suspects
- Whether the suspect had been located and taken into custody
Authorities commonly hold back certain details early in an investigation to protect witness interviews, evidence collection, and ongoing operations. Information can also shift rapidly as police verify calls, tips, and reports from multiple locations.
How investigations typically proceed from here
After an incident like this, investigators generally work through several steps at once:
- Securing scenes and confirming the timeline of gunfire reports
- Collecting video, physical evidence, and witness statements
- Confirming victim counts through hospitals and EMS reports
- Reviewing emergency alert timelines and police radio traffic for verification
- Expanding patrols and searches based on credible tips
At the same time, universities often coordinate with city police on reunification guidance, campus access restrictions, and continued safety messaging.
Community response and next updates
Large-scale police activity around a major university tends to draw rapid updates, but the most important developments usually come in verified releases: when the suspect is identified, whether an arrest is made, and confirmed information on victims and injuries.
Anyone near the area is typically urged to follow official instructions and avoid spreading unverified claims that can cause confusion and interfere with response efforts.
Why the “brown active shooter” alert matters
A brown active shooter alert is designed to move people into immediate safety actions while police respond. Even when details are still emerging, those minutes matter—especially on a campus setting with dense foot traffic, shared buildings, and nearby residential streets.
As officials continue the investigation, new confirmed details are expected to be released as they become available.